SBS TV Network Draws Criticism for Airing New Ha Young Drama
South Korean television network SBS is facing a wave of criticism over its plan to air the drama ‘The Long Shot Trial’, starring actress Ha Young. The controversy has emerged amid scrutiny of Ha Young’s family history, which has been linked to pro-Japanese activism during the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945.
The drama is scheduled to premiere on 26 February 2027, just three days before South Korea commemorates the March First Independence Movement Day, or Samiljeol. The day marks the 1919 Korean independence demonstrations against Japanese occupation.
The timing of the broadcast is one of the reasons public criticism has intensified. Moreover, ‘The Long Shot Trial’ is an adaptation of the Japanese television series ‘Legal V: Ex-lawyer Shoko Takanashi’.
On social media, a number of internet users have questioned SBS’s decision to cast Ha Young in the role of a lawyer character who upholds justice, given that the actress has ancestors from pro-Japanese nobility.
‘It is truly ironic that a family with roots in pro-Japanese nobility is trying to take pride after taking over the legacy of Kim Ik-nam. Her grandfather once worked as a doctor in human experiments on Sorokdo, and now his descendant plays a lawyer who upholds truth exactly three days before Independence Movement Day? What a joke,’ one internet user said, as reported by the Korea Times on Monday (17/8/2026).
‘This country enjoys freedom thanks to the sacrifices of independence activists, so it is truly unfair that descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators, rather than descendants of independence fighters, are the ones living comfortably,’ another internet user said.
In the drama ‘The Long Shot Trial’, Ha Young plays a highly enthusiastic rookie lawyer. The character has perfect legal knowledge but lacks courtroom experience. She is portrayed as having strong empathy and a sense of justice, which often leads her to act rashly and dive straight into handling various cases.
The wave of criticism has left ‘The Long Shot Trial’ shrouded in uncertainty. Industry sources said the production team is taking a cautious stance after the issue of Ahn Sang-ho’s pro-Japanese activities came to light.
‘We are monitoring the situation,’ the production team said.
According to the production team, it is not easy to replace Ha Young with another actress because filming has progressed considerably. Around 90 percent of the drama’s filming is said to have been completed. To date, SBS has not issued an official comment regarding any change in production status or announced any change to the broadcast schedule.
The controversy surrounding Ha Young relates to allegations about her family history. Public anger is directed at Ha Young’s great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, who was actively involved as a pro-Japanese collaborator during the colonial period.
Meanwhile, Ha Young’s grandfather is said to have worked as a doctor on Sorokdo Island during the colonial era. The island is known as a site of forced exile and various medical experiments on leprosy patients.
The controversy further developed after internet users questioned the attribution of a number of historical achievements of doctor Kim Ik-nam to Ahn Sang-ho. The error is said to have originated from an opinion article published in the JoongAng Ilbo in 2002 and written by Ha Young’s father.
In the article, Ahn Sang-ho was described as one of the founders of medical education in early Korea and a leader of the country’s first medical organisation. However, according to official records cited in the report, Kim Ik-nam was the first Korean doctor to receive a complete modern medical education. He returned to Korea in 1900 to educate doctors.
Ahn Sang-ho, meanwhile, is said to have refused a government order to return from Japan. He was subsequently dismissed from his position and later cooperated with the Japanese colonial authorities.